Looking for advice

[KatNW1]

Hi - I'm Katarina and I'd like to ask a question.

I enjoy all sorts of stories (from BDSM to gay sex and literally almost everything in between, even if I don't understand the appeal of the acts as described), but I mostly like writing sensuality. Is that pretty welcome here?

In my other life, I'm actually in the midst of a book - an honest-to-God novel, but (and here's the kicker!) I'm having trouble with the sex scenes. I know my characters to the point that if one of them sat down right now across from me in Barnes and Noble, I could tell you what they'd talk about, what they'd be wearing, and what they'd be drinking. But I've built them up to more than the common man in my mind and I'm struggling with imagining them actually (tee-hee) DOING IT.

Stupid, right?

Anyway, a friend of mine - who writes some seriously hot and steamy, graphic stuff that I keep TELLING her to submit to you guys - suggested I create a few different people, veil but not completely cover them over (in other words, they're sort of my characters, but they're not), and just write about sex. Get over my problems with putting the act to paper, so to speak, and see what I come up with.

I'd like to submit to Literotica, but I want to be sure I've got a good audience here. I can take criticism, but I don't want to be a laughingstock (no one does, really, and I get that). And I can accept that not everything appeals to everyone (sort of like sex, right?).

Sounds like a confidence problem. And you're right - that's part of it. And I think this might be a good place to start for me. Who knows? Maybe I'll get my raunch on and have to do some serious restructuring...

Anyway, just wanted some feedback (and probably fishing for a bit of encouragement - totally unfair, yes, but I'm nervous as hell....). Tx for your time!

 

[Darkniciad]

The romance category ( which sounds right up your alley ) is far more open to sex-light stories than most of the other categories. That may very well be your venue as you explore the possibility of writing more heat.

Honestly, there's a place for nearly anything at Lit ( beyond the prohibited things, of course ) Some things may not be the most popular, but that doesn't mean that there isn't a readership out there that will enjoy it.

 

[KatNW1]

Thanks so much for your input. I'll get to writing, then. :0)

 

[TE999]

Welcome to Lit and the AH, Kat. There's a category here for any sort of erotica you care to submit. Read the guidelines for taboo subject matter first. Be aware that the Loving Wives cat has more vicious critics per story than there are fleas on a coon dog.

Happy writing.

 

[_Lynn_]

Welcome to the AH.

I have several stories in the romance category that did quite well. Non-erotic is an option if you don't want to add sex scenes.

 

[beatrice_dreams]

In my other life, I'm actually in the midst of a book - an honest-to-God novel, but (and here's the kicker!) I'm having trouble with the sex scenes. I know my characters to the point that if one of them sat down right now across from me in Barnes and Noble, I could tell you what they'd talk about, what they'd be wearing, and what they'd be drinking. But I've built them up to more than the common man in my mind and I'm struggling with imagining them actually (tee-hee) DOING IT.

Stupid, right?

Sounds like a confidence problem. And you're right - that's part of it. And I think this might be a good place to start for me. Who knows? Maybe I'll get my raunch on and have to do some serious restructuring...

Anyway, just wanted some feedback (and probably fishing for a bit of encouragement - totally unfair, yes, but I'm nervous as hell....). Tx for your time!

Go for it - sounds like a good way to move things along. It may not be your characters at all but just the whole writing-about-sex thing that's holding you up so getting it out there with instant feedback can only help.

One thing that helped me was to go back and examine the writing style of books where I really enjoyed the "love-scenes" and see what style and language the writers used. I realised that I didn't really go for the more explicit word-choice that many Lit writers do so that helped me focus on just using softer language for all those bits-and-pieces names that inevitably come up (okay, no pun intended)! Still trying to find my way through that myself, but at least it's a fun journey

Good luck - let us know when there's something to read

 

[BONNIEBREA]

Dark's advice of submitting in the Romance category is very sound, unless there is some other specific content to your stories that makes another category better.

One piece of advice - if you're concerned about the feedback or comments you might get on your stories then go into your profile and disable anonymous comments to your stories. Anon comments can on rare occasions be thoughtful or insightful, but more typically they're just some idiot vomiting through his keyboard and posting the result on your story (you also have - from your submissions page - the option to delete (moderate) the most moronic comments and I'd recommend you use it). Readers will still be able to post comments to your stories, but they will have to log in and post their comments under their handle, which tends to keep the comments you'll get in the range of worthwhile to insightful and literate.

What category to submit my stories in is usually a problem for me because my stories are not 'about' some narrowly focused fetish or practice. So I often have a problem with that. You'll find that comments will often be centered around how well you've 'hit the spot' in terms of that paticular reader's sexual interest or fetish. I can sympathize with your dilemna in writing sexual encounters. Often times they are fun or interesting for me to write, but at other times I find them the least interesting part of the story to write and I can get a little impatient with it. I much prefer the process of figuring out plot or character motivations.

And then again you may find you get no comments at all on your stories. Not to put too fine a point on this, but Literotica readers can often be voraciously greedy blood-suckers who just devour stories without bothering with the courtesy of a comment. So also be prepared to get no reaction or comment at all.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Hi, Kat, and welcome to Literotica and to the Authors' Hangout. This is a good place to come to and ask questions, and nobody will say they are silly. As some posters have said, Romance is a good category if you want to write about an evolving relationship with some sex, but not devoted to sex.

I echo the warning to avoid the Loving Wives category, which should actually be called cheating wives. Regardless of how well you write there, some of the readers, anonymously of course, will curse and revile you for your efforts.

You might also want to write in Erotic Coupling. This is a catchall category, and you can find detailed and graphic smut, such as I write, or carefully crafted works of literature.

Whatever you choose to write, I suggest you include a link to your work in future posts.

 

[Kojote]

I'd also suggest to ask for specific feedback. Both in the story itself (At the beginning or the end) and here in the feedback forum.
Since you are searching for a way to write the sexscenes you may want the most detailed feeback on that. And it's good to tell that to your readers.

 

[diedra13]

hello...perhapse you want to find some like minded people and not post for all too see right off. I know I am starting out with a very secrative piece that is very important to me being my first erotic piece. I think about it in the evening before bed...word choices, and the sex is complicated at times. in writing mine I am drawing from all kinds of sources and experiences. I do think that one of the comments was about just sometimes being people who want to read some porn and are less interested in the comments...but as in life there will always be those situations..I am also considering categories since mine will have some variety of sexual situations and such..I hope to get some of the good feedback and some editors when I am finally ready to let this boat sail...good luck.

 

[walkingeagle]

I'd love reading anything you write--

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Romance and Erotic couplings would be great for stories such as what you're describing, and if you feel you're going to have a hard time with the sex scenes you can choose a couple stories here on the site, read through them, and you may find yourself thinking - "If this were my work, I would have done this differently." Ideas may pop into your head and your worry about what to put on paper will disappear as soon as the action begins.

Good luck and we look forward to reading your work.

And of course - Welcome to Lit. and the AH.

 

[In Anticipation]

Don't forget to let us know when you have stories up and running!